BBC pundit Garth Crooks has hailed Manchester City defender Kyle Walker for his performance against Newcastle United at the weekend.
The 33-year-old featured at right-back for City at the Etihad, and was solid against the Magpies in a great 1-0 win.
Walker had featured in the UEFA Super Cup against Sevilla on Wednesday.
But he looked fresh as a daisy on Saturday night against Newcastle.
Sporting the captaincy once again, Walker did a great job of keeping Antony Gordon – one of the fastest players in the league alongside Walker himself – fairly quiet.
And Walker has subsequently been selected in the BBC’s Team of the Week by Crooks.
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Garth Crooks blown away by Kyle Walker against Newcastle
Crooks was simply blown away by Walker, and his ability to turn in such a high-level performance so soon after the Super Cup.
He said of the England international (BBC Sport): “This was an outstanding performance by Manchester City and their captain Kyle Walker. They had just returned from Athens, having beaten Sevilla in the Super Cup in midweek, and competed with Newcastle as if they had never been away.
“The mark of a top team is their ability to win in Europe and get a result on their return to their domestic league.
“Walker was as professional as it gets against Newcastle, despite having played the entire match in Greece, converted his penalty in the shootout, lifted the trophy and then led his team out a few days later like it was another day at the office.”
City keeping Walker is a major boost
There was a point this summer where it looked as though City were going to lose Walker.
Bayern Munich were extremely keen, and Walker had reportedly even agreed personal terms to make the move.
But he apparently changed his mind, and it could be that he now signs a contract extension at City.
It is brilliant news that the £160,000-a-week star is staying.
Walker may be approaching his mid-thirties now, but he is looking as good as ever and showing zero signs of decline.
To see him play so well against a great side like Newcastle was very encouraging indeed.